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Granting Diplomas by Scottisl) Kings. 383
Tone, and when I go north 1 will have that Tone. So that there
is nothing in that but perfect Custom. I was this day dining
with Brigadier Guest, who received me very kindlj'^, and gave nie
a letter for your Lordship.— I am, dear pa})a, your Lordship's
most affectionate Son,
"Simon Fuaseu.
"Edinburgh, May 22nd, 17-10 "
Mr Fraser-^Iackintosh's paper was as follows :
GRANTING DIPLOMAS OF GENTLE BIRTH, Arc, BY
SCOTTISH KINGS-
CASE OF LIEUT.-COLONEL ALEXANDER MONRO
OF OBSDALE, 1G63.
Numbers of Scotsmen of gentle birth, unable to find suitable
employment at home, betook themselves particularly during the
seventeenth century either to foreign militaiy service, or to trade,
becoming naturalised in the countries wherein they settled. The
rigour of class and caste made it necessary for these adventurers
to show an equality of rank, ere they were permitted to as.sociate
with, or intermarry among, the upper ranks of the natives of Poland,
Sweden, Germany, and France, to which countries these adventurers
chiefly resoi't(>d.
The proper Register of • Birth Briefs is called "The Paper
Register of the Great Seal," as distinguished fi'om the Great Seal
Register Proper, which is written on vellum. The Paper Register
begins about 1590, and is continued to 1707.
In earlier times, certificates were given by inquests of friends
and neighbours of repute, styled " homines patriae," and in Burghs
such certificates were granted after enquiry by the Magistrates and
Council. Subsequently it was not unusual to issue a Royal War-
rant, as is seen in the following ctise taken from " The Earl of
Stirling's Register of Royal Letters," 1 st volume, p. 66. Edinburgh
1885 :—
To the Chancellor (of Scotland)
Right Trusty and Wellbeloved,
Whereas, one Andrew Arbuthnot, serving, as we are informed,
under the King of Sweden, has caused humble suit to be
made unto us that he might have a testificate under our Great
Seal of that our Kingdom, of his lawful birth and progeny, our
pleasure is that having informed yourself thereof, that you grant